Five Alls in the Great Commission

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1 Volume 21, Number 36 September 6th, 2015 Five Alls in the Great Commission by And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:18-20) ALL Authority This is the meaning of the word power in verse 18; as the risen Lord, all things are now subject to Jesus authority (1 Corinthians 15:27). This means that He has the absolute right to command and expect obedience! Paul says that in Jesus name (i.e., because of His authority), every knee shall bow to Him, and every tongue confess His Lordship to the glory of God (Philippians 2:9-11). He is the Head, the Ruler over His body (the church, Colossians 1:18); He has the right to command us, and He has commanded us, to teach the lost! Not all will obey, so some will be lost (as in the parable of the sower, Luke 8); but some will obey, and be saved! OUR duty is to obey! ALL Christians The second all is not so plainly phrased as the first; the late Ivan Stewart expressed it as Go Ye Means Go Me! Ye means all of you, as in Acts 2:38 (ASV); Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you. When Jesus said Go ye, He ultimately included every single Christian! The original Christians understood this, as passages such as Acts 8:4, Colossians 1:23, and Philippians 1:5 (the Philippian saints had a part in Paul s evangelistic work through their financial support for him) demonstrate. Just as they understood that all Christians have a responsibility in evangelism, so should we! What are you doing toward saving another s soul? ALL Nations The third all in Jesus command embraces all people, everywhere into all the world, Mark 16:15. The point here is very simple; no accountable person is exempted from sin and its consequences OR from the opportunity for salvation! Acts 2 shows thousands of Jewish people who were taught the gospel and converted to Christ. Acts 8 moves the boundary of the Heavenly Kingdom outward to include the Samaritans, and in Acts 10, the message of salvation is finally unleashed on the balance of humanity, in the Gentile world. It was by design that the apostles (especially Paul) spent their lives traveling to teach others about salvation through Jesus: Not all can go to the extent they did, but all Christians are able to both help others go AND (as in Acts 8:4) teach whoever you can where you are! ALL Things It is critically important to pay attention to Jesus words here! He was very specific about WHAT we are to teach others; to observe (to keep, or obey) ALL the things He has commanded. Ours world is filled with people who are religious in the same way as the Athenians in Acts 17:22, where the KJV uses the word superstitious: Some are religiously ignorant, not knowing what God expects of them! Others keep some of His commands while ignoring others, thus failing the ALL things test. WE will not be doing the Lord s will if we don t teach His entire message (note Acts 20:20 and 27). Even Apollos, whose belief and teaching were almost right in every point (Acts 18:24-28), still needed correction and instruction to be able to preach the whole counsel of God. AL-WAY Our Lord promised to be with us until time is over and eternity begins; He won t fail or forsake us in any way (Hebrews 13:5). The words of Mark 16:20 show that He kept His promise in the first generation of the church through the signs they were empowered to do, and Peter tells us much later that God has provided for US all that we need to accomplish His purpose through the word He has given us (2 Peter 1:3). It is a serious responsibility and a high honor to serve under the banner of King Immanuel; there is much involved in faithful service, and much to be done both at home and abroad. Our prime purpose in His kingdom is to carry out ALL of His commission to the best of our ability!

2 The Way of Salvation (part five) Salvation is by Obedience by What do you see when you hear the word obedience? Some picture the instant, disciplined response a drill sergeant demands, while others are offended by the very idea, seeing only infringement on personal freedom! Regardless of our own emotional responses to the idea, we often miss the fact that true obedience embodies authority. If a police officer orders me to pull over, I must obey his command for he bears the authority of the law! An imposter has no such authority, however, so I have no obligation to obey his a fraudulent command. In matters of faith, we must obey only the One who has the authority to command us, never an imposter. When Israel entered Canaan, Jericho was a key city; large, powerful, fortified, and directly in their path. They had to conquer it to possess the land God promised, but Joshua 6:1-2 shows that they couldn t take the city on their own: They had to have God s help. Hebrews 11:30 says the walls of Jericho fell down by faith, but they did not fall until the people obeyed God! As Israel obtained Jericho, so we obtain the gracious gift of salvation through the obedience of faith! Submission is the key to true obedience. God gave Israel very specific instructions in order to conquer Jericho: They didn t receive the city when God promised it, nor did they receive it when they believed His promise; they received it when they obeyed by faith the commands He had given: Submission was the key. Partial obedience is really total disobedience. Picking and choosing which of God s commands to honor does not honor Him at all! King Saul dishonored Him in this way when he spared Agag and the Amalekite flocks, 1 Samuel 15:8-9. The rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22) did it by not submitting his great wealth to God. When we pick and choose among God's commands, we are actually declaring independence from Him, not obeying Him! Without submission in all things, there is submission in nothing! Obedience honors God. Samuel told Saul, To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams, (1 Samuel 15:22). Satan s power in the world depends on disobedience, so the solution to evil is obedience to God s word! Obedience honors God by pronouncing Him trustworthy: Solomon counseled, in Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding (NKJV). In Psalm 2:12, the Holy Spirit proclaimed Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Obedience honors God by acknowledging that all His commands are for our good. Too easily, we think of God as removing the fun from our lives! Joseph recognized that God had used his sorrow and suffering in Egypt for the good of his family (Genesis 50:20). In Psalm 73:1 the writer acknowledges that God is good to the pure in heart, and in Matthew 19:17, Jesus says God is the standard of good in the world! Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. Obedience honors God because it is the action of free choice: He does not force us to serve Him! Heaven s hall of fame (Hebrews 11) is filled with faithful workers, not idle talkers! Obedience is evidence of love for God. Jesus said if a person loves Him, that one will obey His words (John 14:15). Asking do I have to? bases my relationship with God on debt instead of love. There is no way we can earn our way to heaven (note Matthew 16:26), and God didn t reckon righteousness this way even under Moses law! (see James 2:20-23). Altering His instructions, whether by adding to or subtracting from them is disobedience, and Hebrews 5:9 says that Christ is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him! Obedience is not an option (if you want to go to heaven). Many did not obey on Pentecost; and they were not added to the church! Giving up a sin-filled life is optional; but repentance is the only way such a one can enter heaven, Luke 13:3. Giving is optional; but the covetous shall not enter heaven (Luke 12:15-20), and working in the church is optional, unless you want eternal life, Matthew 21: The fact is that obedience separates the lost from the saved. Christians are children of obedience, Revelation 22:14. Such are called to be children of God, 1 John 3:9-10. Satan s children are the children of disobedience, Ephesians 2:3, and 2 Peter 2:14. Whose child are YOU?

3 Family Matters Sally Wallace Is waiting on test results Barbara Edmonds Is not feeling well. Lewis Armstrong Is recovering from cataract surgery last week. Jim & Glennon Cherry Friends of Rick & RuPearl Sharpe; she needs our prayers. Members With Health Problems: Valorye Whittaker (at LaFayette/Kindred, rm. 908), Chelsey Russell, Judy Beckwith, Marlene Etheridge, Becky Higginbotham, Butch & Joann Trawick, Joe Clark, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Jill Nash, Bernice Gillespie, Equillar Butler, Maylon Swann, Hick & Estell Higginbotham, Mattie Williams, RuPearl Sharpe, Una Fortson, David & Shirley Lee Shut-ins: Lillian Gray, Annette Benefield, David Nash, Audrey Shaw, Lucille Amon, Jane Lankford & Frances Elder Others With Health Problems: Clark Boyd, Jean Benefield (Annette s daughter-in-law), Edith McDonald (Graham McDonald s mother), Larry Little (Jenny Gwinn s brother-in-law), Wayne Moore (Una Fortson s friend), Nancy Ford (Joann Crook s sister), Barbara Benton, Joel Johnson (Andy s father), Virginia Poskevich (David s mother), Lillie Walker (Rosa Bell s mother), Barbara Hayles (Becky Higginbotham s sister) Faye Hester (Tina Russell s mother), Paola Borges Rosario (Campbell s friend), Loretta Russell (Ray s mother), Edmund Sauls (Gail Chapman s father), Joyce Greene (Denise Greene s mother), Melissa Myers (Sally Wallace s niece), Xernonia Fortson (Una s daughter), Bob Neel (friend of the Rogers family), Eddie & Lil Cauthen (Joan Poskevich s brother/sister-in-law), Bill Croix (Mattie s husband), Joe Hand (Jim Scoma s brother-in-law) and Marvin Cook (Jean Johnson s brother) Military Members Deployed: SFC Chineka McKenzie (Kuwait), 335th Signal Command (T) (P), APO AE. Capt. Rosa Bell, ECC-A / Box 539, APO AE Deployed for FEMA Sylvester Campbell is in Texas. Greeting, Church members/church family, thank you for your continued support. I m approaching my downhill phase of my deployment, 6 more months and I will return home. The time flies by sometimes. The busy day ensure I m to tired to complain. The weather here is still hot but it s not as hot as it was a few months ago. The norm is 120 with the humidity it feels like 130. My husband and kids are doing well, as you know my kids are in S.C. with my mother while my husband drive trucks. The have settled into a normal routine. I pray everyone is doing well, and I hope to see everyone in Feb!!! Thank you all for keeping myself as well as all the soldiers in your prayers. Chineka & family Calendar Sept. 6 Bible Bowl L2L - Signup Sheets for cases of water, snacks, gifts or gift cards for the kids. Sept 10 Raintree Village Benefit Dinner for the Children at Hillcrest Church of Christ, Decatur at 7pm Sept 13 Marriage Enrichment Lunch & Meeting at Jim & Susan Pelfrey s home. Sept 13 Bridal Shower for Sarah Milbauer (Christopher Johnson) from 3-5pm. The couple is registered at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond Sept 13 Elders/Deacon Meeting at 5pm in room 122. Sept 14 Ladies Night out hosted by Joan Poskevich. Bring one item that will help make a delicious Salad Buffet. Sept-Nov (GSOP Fall quarter) The Gospel of John, David Decker, instructor Hermeneutics,, instructor Sept Fall Gospel Meeting at Fayetteville Church of Christ, speaker: John Iverson, Valdosta, GA. Youth Calendar Sept. 6 - Bible Bowl L2L Signup Sheets for help, snacks, water, gifts or gift cards for the kids. Sept 13 Bible Bowl Kick -off meeting, room 121 (kids and adults) Sept. 19 Stone Mountain Trip with the Bible Bowl Students. (Everyone is invited.) Dinner order forms are in the foyer. Fill it out and return to Joan or Sally with payment. Area Church Calendar Sept. 5 & 6 100th Anniversary Celebration at Central Church of Christ, Dalton, Georgia Sept 12 Ladies Day at Bremen Church of Christ, Speaker: Cindy Colley Sweet Success Sept Lithia Springs Church of Christ Gospel Meeting, Freedom In Christ, Speaker: Bro. Slocumb Sept Buford Church of Christ Gospel Meeting with Dan Winkler Sept 19 - Ladies Day at Gordon Rd. Church of Christ, Speaker: Susan Shelton Sept Shannon Church of Christ The Best Family Ever, Speaker Aubrey Johnson Oct 2-4 Annual Fall Lectureship at Central church of Christ

4 Call To Worship Scripture Reading Prayer Song Leader Preside Lord s Supper Sermon Response Elder Announcements Song Closing Prayer Evening Service Prayer Sermon Closing Prayer WORSHIP ASSIGNMENTS 9/6 Randall Bell Eric Hagan Thomas Quinn Dennis Etheridge Keith Killingsworth 9/13 Jake Garner Jim OBrien Lewis Armstrong Ray Cozart Q/A Paul Lyons Jerry Kendrix 9/20 Randall Bell Coney Johnson, Jr. Thomas Quinn Ray Russell Ron Biles Bob Howell 9/27 Jake Garner Rick Sharpe Keith Killingsworth David Hopkins Song Service Anthony Ravenell Rick Sharpe Communion Preparation Linda Howell & Morgan Boelsterli Nursery 9/6-Joan Poskevich 13-Sandy Garne 20-Linda Johnson 27-Lisa Allender Care of Building 1-15 Andy Johnson/Curtis Hurt /Ray Cozart Ushers 6 N/A Media Center Helper 9/6 Ben Rogers Jordan Madison 27 Fayetteville Church of Christ 2015 Goals Growing the Church Address: 870 Redwine Road Fayetteville, Georgia Monday Friday, 9-4 Office Telephone (770) , (770) Fax mail@fcoc.com Web Page: Ministers: (361) Dave.rogers@fcoc.com, (404) (cell) gnash999@gmail.com Office Secretary: Susie Graham celiagraham@bellsouth.net Elders: ( Jim Garner (770) (404) (770) Deacons: Dennis Graham David Hopkins Jerry Kendrix Andy Johnson Paul Lyons David Poskevich Anthony Ravenell Jack Sorrell Assembly Schedule: Sunday 9:00 am Bible Classes 10:00 am Worship Service 6:00 pm Worship Service 10:00 am Tuesday Morning Bible Class (September 11 May 14) 7:00 pm Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm Thursday Night Ladies Class (September-May) Georgia School of Preaching And Biblical Studies (Fall Quarter) September -November Starts, Thursday September 10th at 6:00pm In room 208 The Gospel of John David Decker, instructor Hermeneutics, instructor Tuition Free /1 Hour Academic Open Arms 6 Susie Graham,, Barbara Edmonds, Joan Poskevich, Anne Siebert, Jack & Carla Sorrell 13 Sally Wallace, Laura Gibson, Jerry & Lynn Riner, Jewell Green, Tommy & Gail Chapman Wednesday Evening Devotional 9 David Hopkins, 16 Bubba Battle 23 & 30 Rick Sharpe Our Missionaries Graham, Elizabeth, Joshua, Megan, Bethany & Elijah McDonald Scotland,11 Woodhead Ct, Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, G68 9DB graham@gmcd.net Skype: gmcd105 or Scott, Rebecca & Violet Shananhan Pohnpel scottshanahan@hotmail.com Kenloy & Ivell Walker Mandeville, Jamaica Old Harbouir Church of Christ, Forrest & Burma Chapman, Georgia Hiawassee, Ga. ftc1952@alltel.com

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